HO SD75M, NS #2801

Detailed Information

ATSF FEATURES:

These were some of the last Santa Fe lettered engines built before the BNSF merger

SD75M body with turbo “bulge”

Early dynamic brake grills

Nathan 3 chime horn

Two grab irons on cab roof

Tinted cab windows

Right side nose door without window

Short sunshade brackets

Large and small Sinclair antennas

SD75M 4-step walkway

Spare knuckles and holders on rear pilot

Drop grab irons (MU hose holders) on rear pilot

Low-tab mounted AEI tags

Early jacking pads

Front round top ditch lights

EMD low plow

MU receptacles w/ yellow MU cables front and rear

Late 5000 gallon fuel tank

Stem-mounted fuel gauge and late sight glass

NS FEATURES:

These were former ATSF and BNSF Locomotives. Units were acquired in September 2014 via NRE.

SD75M body with turbo “bulge”

Early dynamic brake grills

Nathan 5 chime horn

Two grab irons on cab roof

Tinted cab windows

Nose door with window

Short sunshade brackets

Large and small Sinclair antennas

SD75M 4-step walkway

Spare knuckles and holders on rear pilot

Drop grab irons (MU hose holders) on rear pilot

Low-tab mounted AEI tags

Early jacking pads

Front round top ditch lights

EMD low plow

MU receptacles w/ yellow MU cables front and rear

Late 5000 gallon fuel tank

Stem-mounted fuel gauge and late sight glass

PRLX FEATURES:

All PRLX locomotives are Primed for Grime with road numberspecific patches and fading

Many of BNSF’s SD75Ms were in storage by 2014-2015. The 20+ year old units were definately past their prime at this point; however, most of them still had a future. Norfolk Southern bought a total of seven units, to become NS 2800-2806. In addition, Progress Rail Leasing (PRLX) bought a large group of the units. They arrived to PRLX wearing several paint schemes, including the Santa Fe Warbonnet as well as BNSF’s Heritage II paint. The units were hastily patched and placed into service; as of this writing they are leased to CN and KCS, but future leasing assignments are likely.

BNSF RED & SILVER FEATURES:

In-service version with FRA yellow reflectors on sill and anti-skid on nose

SOUND EQUPPED MODELS ALSO FEATURE

Program a multiple unit (MU) lashup with lead unit only horn, bell, and lights

Many functions can be altered via Configuration Value (CV) changes

CV chart included in the box

PROTOTYPE SPECIFIC INFORMATION

Continuing upon the successful SD60-series, in 1992 EMD debuted the next step in locomotive evolution with the SD70-series. While outwardly similar at first glance to the SD60M, the D.C.-drive SD70M featured several external design refinements from the predecessor model. Battery boxes were relocated to the left-hand side walkway immediately behind the cab, a large, boxy forward traction motor blower housing replaced the angular version used on SD60s, the raised walkway duct on the left hand walkway was eliminated, and an intake for the rear traction motor blower on the left hand side of the carbody, directly under the rear radiator intake grill, was added.

Internally, the SD70 boasted improvements as well; a 16-710GB prime mover, rated at 4,000hp, was coupled to a new alternator design, the AR20. New D70TR traction motors were standard, and controlling all of this power and locomotive function was EMD’s new EM2000 microprocessor, which boasted more memory, twice the processing speed, and improved locomotive self-diagnostic capabilities compared to the processor suite used in the SD60. Even more revolutionary was the inclusion of EMD’s patented “Radial” truck design, the HTC-R. This design, which made its debut under EMD Demo SD60 #3, replaced the venerable HT-C truck, and is unique in its ability to shift, or “steer”, the wheelsets laterally through curves, resulting in greatly reduced wheelset and track wear, and coupled with the new D70TR traction motors and EM2000 microprocessor, greatly improved adhesion.

Continuing with previous practice, EMD built a set of Demonstrator SD70Ms, EMD 7000-7002, all equipped with the North American safety-cab (hence the “M” in their model designation), and decked out in an attractive gray, silver, and burgundy paint scheme. These units travelled all over North America, showing off the latest technology from EMD. Southern Pacific, Union Pacific and eventually Norfolk Southern would sign up for the SD70M models. Although NS started out with the “Spartan” cab SD70, they eventually returned for the SD70M model. By 2004 the SD70M began to be delivered with the familiar “flared” radiator grilles. Both NS and UP have examples of these locomotives on their roster, and you can still find the entire fleet of SD70Ms in regular service today.